Relief community provides aid to India flood victims

Written by Mason Anderson, DisasterRelief.org
In coordination with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation), the Indian Red Cross Society is providing relief to affected residents weathering the worst monsoon flooding to strike India since 1978. In the hardest hit states of Assam and Bihar, more than 600 people have been killed and at least 1.5 million homes destroyed. The American Red Cross is joining the efforts of the international relief community by implementing complimentary relief activities in the worst affected region Bihar. As the floods begin to recede, volunteers are meeting the immediate needs of the victims by providing food, clothing and clean water.

Ironically, although much of Assam and Bihar were inundated, very little water has fallen on India during this year's monsoon season. Instead, the widespread floods were triggered by runoffs from Nepal, where torrential downpours beginning in late June overflowed waterways.

In Assam, the floods inundated more than 5,500 villages in 19 districts, forcing the evacuation of nearly 2.5 million people. At least 80,000 displaced residents continue to live in 300 relief camps operated by the government of India. The situation is worse in the northern state of Bihar, where an estimated 80 percent of the state's northern area is underwater. More than 14 million people in 22 of Bihar's 38 districts have been affected and almost 45,000 homes have been destroyed.

The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) responded immediately, distributing food and clothing to thousands of affected residents. Based on initial damage assessments, the immediate needs identified by the IRCS were the provision of safe drinking water, primary health interventions, disease control and basic household items, particularly food.

Following a joint damage assessment conducted with the IRCS, the Federation launched an appeal for nearly $2 million on August 14. The appeal targets some 150,000 of the most vulnerable residents.

On August 8, the American Red Cross deployed a two member International Response Team (IRT) to meet with representatives from the IRCS and the Federation to identify the most appropriate use of American Red Cross resources in the region. As part of the deployment, the IRT members traveled to Bihar to view the situation and evaluate an appropriate American Red Cross response.

"Bihar is one of the poorest states in India and also the second most densely populated states," said Matthew Parry, American Red Cross regional delegate who traveled through the inundated region. "Based on what we found there, it was clear that our immediate assistance was critical. After meeting with representatives from the Federation, it was decided that the American Red Cross would concentrate its resources on bringing relief to Bihar."

Although the floods are finally beginning to ebb, the situation could continue to deteriorate. The receding water has left behind stagnant pools of water, a breeding ground for deadly water-borne diseases; already, more than 100 people in Assam have died from Japanese encephalitis, an acute form of the disease carried by rice field breeding mosquitoes.

"Potable water one of the most urgent needs," said Parry. "The floods contaminated many wells, so it's crucial that we provide clean water before disease such as cholera and Japanese encephalitis reach epidemic proportions."

Another concern for relief organizations is the long-term damage to crops. Already, more than 865,000 acres of farmland throughout Assam and Bihar have been damaged "Much of the damage has been in areas where livelihoods are dependent on agriculture. Only a 5 percent success rate is expected for this year's harvest so the long-term food production in the region could be severely compromised," said Parry.

Flooding Extends through Nepal, Bangladesh

This year's monsoon season has wreaked havoc throughout south Asia. In Nepal, the heaviest rainfall in more than three decades bore down on the country between July 21-24, triggering deadly flash floods and landslides. More than 500 people were killed and another 125 are missing and feared dead.

The monsoon caused extensive damages in the eastern, central and some western parts of Nepal where an estimated 260,000 people have been affected.

At the forefront of the relief operation was the Nepal Red Cross Society. Its strategically placed volunteers often were the only people able to reach remote mountainous communities isolated by flood and landslide damages.

In addition to providing first aid services and assisting the evacuation of affected families, the Nepal Red Cross Society distributions have consisted of more than 10,00 kg of food and more than 7,000 family packages consisting of items such as blankets, clothes and cooking utensils. The total cost of materials distributed to date is estimated at some $220,000.

Meanwhile in Bangladesh, heavy rains that began in late April have triggered flash floods throughout 30 of the country's 64 districts, affecting at least 3.5 million residents. Many of those affected are living in unhygienic conditions in temporary shelters on embankments, rooftops, or any high ground available. According to the Ministry of Health, more than 30,000 people are suffering from water-borne diseases and nearly 2,000 are in need of medical treatment for dengue fever in the capital Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) The Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief approved the delivery of rice and clothing for hard-hit families in 15 affected districts. Government authorities have also assigned army troops to providing assistance in eastern Bangladesh.

Limited scale relief operations were being carried out throughout the country by various relief operations, particularly the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS). The organization conducted damage assessments in the most affected areas, focusing particularly on the living conditions of temporary shelters and makeshift homes of displaced residents. Already, the BDCRC has delivered water purification tablets, clothing and food to more than 7,000 of the most destitute families.